[quote name='geogerf']This is sad though because Ubi makes pretty good games and I believe the reason the price drops so fast is because their games are usually single-player focused, so once people beat them, there's no point in playing them again. So I think the company loses out to used-game places like GameStop when all the kids sell these games back and then another kid buys it because its $55 instead of $60.
Of course as consumers we want the lowest price... i can't really blame you though - I dont buy many games at launch unless there's some multi-player aspect that I am really buying it for.[/QUOTE]
If short games were priced with the prices of short games, especially games with limited multiplayer, then those games would sell more. The fact that used titles sell so well proves it. If I was Ubisoft (and we were talking about console games), I'd do three things:
1) Make a significant part of my game be DLC that is free with new purchase
2) Price a game based on time it takes most players to complete. Greater than 10 hours or extensive multiplayer, $60. Less than 8, $40. Less than 6, $30. Less than 4, $20.
3) Start my own game reward program where if you buy a certain number of my titles, you'd get points to apply discounts toward new games once you submitted a proof of purchase code included with each game (that also ties into your DLC from #1).
These would encourage sales. Lower prices for games with shorter experiences, a point system, and required DLC to play a majority of the experience would be enough to encourage gamers to buy new.
Imo.
As for PC games, well like I said. They bragged needlessly about their DRM and when the news stories were everywhere talking about AC2 was going to lock people out if their ISP went down. Sales were guaranteed to tank then. The only thing making me hesitate on this deal, imo, is the thought that a Steam sale will come along, knock 66% off this, and give me the advantages of Steam. Steam doesn't replace the DRM, but I actually prefer the convenience of not having to search around for a disc and then hunt for patches.
So $15 at amazon now for a disc or the potential for a $13-15 Steam sale. If only everyone who wanted online DRM just used Steamworks, my decision would have been a lot easier... (